As some of you know, Remy bit his fins nearly off. I've noticed hes left them alone lately and some has grown back. however, its stopped now, or seems to be at a stand still. is this normal? What do you guys reccommend i do to promote tail regrowth? I have no meds in the water with him, just almond leaf and keeping clean water. I also dont have a heater in the water in case fin rot crept up. I didn't want to promote ITS growth... Could that have anything to do with the stunted growing?
-KAT

You're not causing the tail regrowth to be at a stand still by not having a heater in there. So don't worry about that. If you do have fin rot start up just dab the affected area with Providone iodine, which you can get at any Wal-Mart or other drug store, with a cotton swab. Yes that means taking him out and holding him. Just keep it from dripping or running into his gills.

Now as far as encouraging regrowth, that depends. If he bit of the fin down to the base, it isn't going to grow back ever. If it's not all the way to the base you just may need to be patient. I've had mature adult bettas with big heavy fins that I've trimmed back to get rid of some of that weight. On a couple that I got a bit carried away with it didn't grow back evenly. It seemed the farther in that I trimmed the slower that regrowth was to come back. I say give it some time. He may look funky, but that hasn't changed his genetic potential, in case you planned on spawning him.

Just as a side note...
There are many different theories on tail biting. Some say it's water parameters, some swear it's genetic. My personal theory is dominantly boredom. I've farted around with some of my tail biters by letting them live in feeder guppy tanks. As long as I had good clean water for them they quit tail biting. In the practical world of raising bettas it doesn't make much sense to provide all our A.D.D. bettas with their our feeder guppy harem, but it's something to think about.

Thanks very much for the post... it was very helpful. He didn't bite it all the way to the base, but he was half an inch or so shy of doing that. (it was scary) Hopefully time can undo what he did to himself.

Interestingly, when i recieved him from thailand he had a chunk already missing. I assume he did this in the bag seeing that his fins were in his face and all. I began to wonder if tailbiting was habit forming as well. *shrug* Its something to ponder. Cause my logic is, if i can break him of the habit hopefully it wont creep back up. But, hey, theres probably flaws in that lol. :rolleyes:

ADD bettas you said... those terms made me chuckle a bit because i had the mental image of Remy NOT sitting still. My crowntail and veiltail are really chilled, but not Remy. He wiggle- dances EVERYWHERE all the time.

Anyway thank you again for the advice. At least i know im on the right track. :D

Just a note as it seems you're on a good track. There's been some debate on here, started by me, that a filter flow in a betta tank helps reduce boredom in some chronic fin-biters. I make this argument bc I have not had any issues with fin-biting, fin rot, etc... since filtering my tanks. Starting with a "muted" flow and increasing it slowly over time, as they build muscles (remember them in their cups with no flow at all... new muscle use) seems to keep their minds and bodies too active to chew themselves to bits... if they start chewing again, they need more flow. It's about keeping them busy. I've also been thinking about adding "toys" too. Maybe some ping pong balls to float on the top.
This idea has come about bc the ball in the intake of my canister on my cichlid tank got out and they spent days and hours bopping that thing around the tank.
So, what does everyone think of the ping pong idea?

I think it's a good idea, actually. I have been wondering what i could put in his tank to keep him busy. Remy seems to be a very intellegent and active little fish that always likes to check out new things.
I'll try a little bit more flow as well, as you suggested davenia. I had him in a tank with a filter on the lowest setting when all this started, but it really was a tiny little current. I'll bump it up a notch after i put him in his original tank and let him get used to it. Thanks much.

I like the ping ping idea. They really do get bored. I agree completely that exercise is important, just like with people. Think of old people that get stuck in old folks homes that don't get company to visit. They just sit there and waste away. In nature there are may things that would keep them stimulated mentally and physically.